Entry level for Nursing Education in India

 Introduction

 General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)

 Bachelor of Nursing Course (BSc.N)

 Bachelor of Nursing Course (Post Certificate) (PC.BSc.N)

 Master of Science in Nursing (MSc.N)

 Master of Philosophy in Nursing (MPhil.N)

 Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD in Nursing)`

 Other certificate courses

INTRODUCTION

Nursing Council Act came to existence in 1948 to constitute a council of nurses to safeguard the
quality of nursing education in the country.

The mandate was to establish and maintain uniform standards of nursing education.

Indian Nursing Council (INC) is a statutory body that regulates nursing education in the
country through prescription, inspection, examination, certification and maintaining its stands for
a uniform syllabus at each level of nursing education.

There are six levels of nursing education in India today. They are :

 Multy Purpose Health Worker Female training (ANM or MPHW-F)

 Female Health Supervisor training (HV or MPHS-F)

 General nursing and midwifery (GNM)

 BSc. Nursing

 MSc. nursing

 MPhil and PhD

The ANM, HV, and GNM are conducted in schools of nursing. The last 3 are university level
courses and the respective universities conduct examinations. Beside there are several certificate
and diploma courses in specialties.

GENERAL NURSING AND MIDWIFERY

The general nursing and midwifery course is conducted in 2178 centers in the country. (As on
12/12/2010).

The syllabus has undergone many revisions according to the change in the health plans and
policies of the Government and changing trends and advancements in general education, nursing
health sciences and medical technology.

 The latest revision of syllabus by INC in 2004 has increased the duration of the course
from three year to three and half year.
 The basic entrance has become intermediate or class 12 instead of earlier class 10.
 Both science and arts students are eligible.
 The focus of general nursing education is the care of sick in the hospital. Schools of
nursing are generally attached to teaching hospitals.
 Three Board examinations are conducted, one at the end of each year. On passing the
candidates are registered as registered nurse and mid –wife by the respective state nursing
councils.

PHILOSOPHY

The Indian Nursing Council believes that the basic course in nursing is a formal educational
preparation which should be based on sound education principles. The council recognizes that
the program as the foundation on which the practice of nursing is built and on which depends
further professional education. It also recognizes its responsibility to the society for the
continued development of student as individual nurse and citizens.

Purpose

The purpose of general nursing programme is to prepare general nurse who will function as
member of the health team beginning with competence for first level position in both hospital
and community.

The programme is generated to the health needs of the society, the community and the individual
and will assist nurses in their personal and professional development so that they may take their
maximum contribution to the society as individual citizens and nurses.
Objectives

 Demonstrate awareness of and skills required in the nursing process in the provision of
health care and nursing of patients
 Apply relevant knowledge from the humanities biological and behavioral sciences in
carrying out health care and nursing activities and functions.
 Show sensitivity and skill in human relationship and communication in his or her daily
works
 Demonstrate skill in the problem solving methods in nursing.
 Gain knowledge of health resources in the community and the country
 Demonstrate skill in leadership
 Demonstrate awareness of necessity of belonging to professional organizations.
 Promotion of health, precaution against illness, restoration of health and rehabilitation.

Students admission

 Age for the entrance shall be 17 years to 35 years, provided they meet the minimum
educational requirement ie 12 years of schooling.
 Minimum education all students should pass 12 classes or its equivalent, preferably with
science subjects
 Admission of students shall be once a year.
 Students should be medically fit.
 The selection committee should comprise tutors, nurse administrators, and
educationalist/psychologist. The principal of the school shall be the chairperson.

Training programme

The course in general nursing shall be of three and half years duration as follows,--- two years
practice in general nursing , one year community health nursing and midwifery and six months
internship which includes nursing administration and nursing research classes. There will be
alternate course for male students in lieu of midwifery. The ANM who wishes to under take
general nursing course will not be given any concessions. The maximum hours per week per
students shall be 36 hours, which includes instructions and clinical field experiences.
BACHELOR OF NURSING COURSE (BScNursing)

 Graduate nursing education started in India in the year 1946 in CMC , Vellore and in the
RAK college of nursing at Delhi university.
 At present 1373 colleges have been recognized by INC to conduct the course under
several universities in India.

Eligibility for admission

A candidate seeking admission should have:

 pass the 2 year of pre university exam or equivalent as recognized by concerned

university with science subjects ie Physics, biology and chemistry.
 students of vocational courses
 obtained at least 45%of total marks in science subjects in the qualifying exam, if belongs
to a scheduled caste or tribe , should have obtained not less than 40 % of total marks in
science subjects.
 completed 17 years of age at the time of admission or will complete this age on or before
31st December of the year of admission
 is medically fit

Objectives of study

The programme is designed :

 to provide a balance of professional and general education

 to enable a student to become a professional nurse practitioner who has self direction and
is a responsible citizen.
 Through planned guided experiences students are provided with opportunities to develop
 a broad concept of the fundamental principles of nursing care based on sound knowledge
and satisfactory levels of skill in providing care to people of all ages in community or
institutional setting
 understanding of the application of principles from the physical biological and social
sciences for assessing the health status
 ability to investigate health care problems systematically
 ability to work collaboratively with members of allied disciplines towards attaining
optimum health for all members of the society
 understanding of fundamental principles of administration and organization of nursing
service
 understanding of human behaviour and appreciation of effective interpersonal
relationship with individuals families and groups
 ability to assume responsibility for continuing learning
  appreciation of professional attitudes necessasary for leadership roles in nursing
appreciation of social and ethical obligations to society.

Course of study

The course of study leading to bachelor of nursing degree comprises 4 academic years.

BACHELOR OF NURSING COURSE (POST CERTIFICATE) FOR QUALIFIED

NURSES

INC has recognized two modes of programmes at this level.

A. Regular B.Sc (Post Basic) course for those who have 10+2 + GNM (General Nursing &
Midwifery) which has a duration of 2 years

B. Distance B.Sc (Post Basic) course for those who have 10+2 GNM + 2year Exp which has a
duration of 3 years.

Philosophy and aims of the programme

 Nursing is an integral part of the health care delivery system and shire responsibility in
collaboration with other allied health professions for the attainment of optimal health for
all members of the society.
 Education as a life long learning process. It seeks to render appropriate behavioral
changes in students in order to facilitate their development, which assist them to live
personally satisfied and socially useful lives.
 The goal of post certificate degree programme leading to bachelor of science in nursing is
the preparation of the trained nurse as a generalist who accept responsibility for
enhancing the effectiveness of Nursing care

Eligibility for admission

The candidate seeking admission must:

 hold a certificate in General nursing.

 be a registered nurse
 have minimum of two years of experience. Now it is relaxed that no experience after
GNM is required for admission to this course.
 have passed pre university exam in the arts /science/commerce or its equivalent which is
recognized the university
 be medically fit
 have a good personal and professional record
 have working knowledge of English
DURATION –the programme of the study is two academic years from the date of
commencement of programme. Terms and vacations shall be as notified by the university from
time to time.

OBJECTIVES—the goal of the post certificate programme leading to the bachelor of nursing is
the preparation of the trained nurses as a generaralist who accept responsibility for enhancing the
effectiveness of nursing care.

 Administer high quality nursing care to all people of all ages in homes , hospitals and
other community agencies in urban and rural areas
 Apply knowledge from the physical, social and behavioral sciences in assessing the
health status of individuals and make critical judgment in assessing the health status of
the individuals and make critical judgment in planning ,directing and evaluating primary,
acute and long term care given by themselves and others working with them
 Investigate health care problems systematically
 Work collaboratively with members of other health disciplines
 Teach and counsel individuals , families and other groups about health and illness
 Understand human behavior and establish effective interpersonal relationships
 Teach in clinical nursing situations
 Identify underlying principles from the social and natural sciences and utilize them in
adapting to , or initiating changes in relation to those factors
 Acquire professional knowledge and attitude in adapting for leadership rol

DEGREE OF MASTER OF NURSING

First two years course in masters of nursing was started at RAK College of Nursing in 1959 and
in 1969 in CMC Vellore.

 At present there are 401 colleges imparting MSc Nursing degree course in different
specialties.
Philosophy

 The master of nursing programme is offered by institution of higher education and is built
up on a recognized bachelor’s curriculum in nursing (in India-by Indian nursing council)
 The programme prepares nurses for leadership position in nursing and other health fields
who can function as specialists nurse practitioners, consultants ,educators ,administrators
and investigators in a wide variety of professional setting in meeting the national
priorities and the changing needs of the society
 The programme prepares nursing graduates who are professionally equipped ,creative,
self directed and socially motivated to effectively meet with the needs of the social
change
 The programme encourages accountability and commitment to life long learning which
fosters improvement of quality care

Objectives

Graduates of master of nursing programme demonstrate:

 increased cognitive ,affective and psychomotor competencies and the ability to utilise the
potentials for effective nursing performance
 expertise in the utilization of concepts and theories for the assessment ,planning and
intervention in meeting the self care needs of an individual for the attainment of fullest
potentials in the field of specialty.
 ability to practice independently as a nurse specialist
 ability to function effectively as nurse educators and administrators
 ability to interpret the health related research
 ability to plan and initiate change in the health care system
 leadership qualities for the advancement of practice of professional nursing
 interest in life long learning for personal and professional learning advancement

Eligibility

The candidate seeking admission must:

 have passed BSc. Nursing/post certificate BSc, or nursing degree of any university
 have a minimum of one year of experience after obtaining BSc, in hospitals or nursing
educational institutions or community health setting
 for BSc, nursing post certificate, no such experience is needed after graduation the
candidate shall be-a registered nurse or registered midwife for admission to medical
surgical nursing, community health nursing, pediatric nursing obstetric and gynecological
nursing.
 the candidate shall be selected on merit judged on the basis of academic performances in
BSc nursing, post certificate BSc, or nursing and selection tests.
Specialties

Candidate will be examined in any of the following branches—

 Medical Surgical Nursing -Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Nursing

 Medical Surgical Nursing–Critical Care Nursing
 Medical Surgical Nursing –Oncology Nursing
 Medical Surgical Nursing - Neurosciences Nursing
 Medical Surgical Nursing - Nephro- Urology Nursing
 Medical Surgical Nursing -Orthopedic Nursing
 Medical Surgical Nursing - Gastro Enterology Nursing
 Obstetric & Gynaecological Nursing
 Paediatric (Child Health) Nursing
 Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nursing
 Community Health Nursing

Four common papers are there included in the syllabus. They are:

 advanced concepts of health and nursing

 education and nursing education
 bio-statistics, research methodology and nursing research
 administration and nursing administration

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMME IN NURSING

In 1980 RAK college of nursing started an MPhil programme as a regular and part time course.
Since then several universities started taking students for the MPhil course in nursing.

Prominent among these are: MGR Medical University, Rajive Gandhi University of Health
Sciences, SNDT University and Delhi University and Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Philosophy

Nursing shares with the whole university a main focus of preparing its students for service and
assisting them to achieve a meaningful philosophy of life. The student is encouraged to develop
judgment and wisdom in handling knowledge and skills and achieve mastery of problem solving
and creative skills.

Commitment to life long learning is the mark of truly professional person. In order to maintain
clinical competencies and enhance professional practice the student must stay abrupt of the new
developments and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge
Objectives

The objectives of M.Phil degree course in nursing are:

 to strengthen the research foundations of nurses for encouraging research attitudes and
problem solving capacities
 to provide basic training required for research in undertaking doctoral work

Duration

Duration of the full term M.Phil course will be one year and part time course will be two year.

Course of study

At the time of admission each candidate will be required to indicate her priorities in regard to the
optional courses .a candidate may offer one course from M Phil programme from the department
of Anthropology, education, sociology and physiology or any suitable department. The M.Phil
studies will be into two distinct parts, part1 and part 2.

Part1----it consist of 3 courses, i.e research methods in nursing, major aspects of nursing, allied
disciplines

Part2----after passing the part1 examination, a student shall be required to write a dissertation.
The topic and the nature of the dissertation of each candidate will be determined by the advisory
committee consist of 3 members. The dissertation may include results of original research, a
fresh interpretation of existing facts, and date or a review article of critical nature of may take.

DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING (PhD in Nursing)

 Earlier Indian nurses were sent abroad for Ph. D programme.

 PhD programmes in nursing was first started in India in 1992

Universities where PhD programmes are conducted in India include

 PhD Consortium by Indian Nursing Council, RUGHS and WHO

 RAK College of Nursing
 NIMHANS Banglore
 Manipal University
Philosophy

A candidate for admission to the course for the degree of doctor of philosophy in the faculties of
medical science must have obtained an M Phil degree of a university or have a good academic
record with first or second class master’s degree of an Indian or a foreign university in the
concerned subject.

The candidate shall apply to the university for the admission stating his qualifications and the
subjects he proposes to investigate enclosing a statement on any work he may have done in the
subject. every application for the admission of the course must be analyzed by the board of
research studies.

Board of research studies (medical sciences)- members-

 dean and the head of the departments concerned

 Principals/ head of institutions recognized for post graduate medical studies.
 Two members nominated by the medical academic council
 Three persons nominated by the medical faculty( for their special knowledge in the
medical science

Eligibility criteria

 The candidate should be post graduate in nursing with more than 55% of aggregates of
marks
 Should have research background
 May or may not published articles in journals

Course duration

The course duration is for regular PhD course is 3 years and for part time is 4 years